Since the inception of the shortest format of the game, Sri Lanka’s cricket team has excelled in T20Is. They were T20 World Cup runners-up in 2009 and 2012 before winning it in the 2014 edition. A turning point came in 2014, when Lasith Malinga captained them to their inaugural T20 title. The team’s success can be attributed to the calibre of its players. In 2012, they attained the top spot in the T20I team rankings due to consistent performances. Often considered a dark horse, Sri Lanka‘s prowess in the shortest format makes them a formidable contender in international cricket. They have had some amazing bowling and batting talent over the years. In today’s article, we will discuss their batting lineup as we go through their top opening partnerships.
3. Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kusal Parera’s 100 vs. Pakistan in 2013
Sri Lanka’s formidable top order, driven by Kusal Perera’s explosive 84 off 59 balls, posted a record-breaking 211 for 3 against Pakistan in the series decider. Parera’s sensational opening partnership of 100 runs with Tillakaratne Dilshan laid the foundation. Pakistan fielded two newbie pacers, and they had to pay the price for it. Lanka’s openers hit them all around the park and posted a mammoth total.
Pakistan’s chase of the mammoth total saw crucial contributions, including a ninth-wicket partnership of 63. Riding on this, Pakistan needed just 29 runs in the last two overs, but Lasith Malinga’s closing efforts secured victory for Sri Lanka. Sachithra Senanayake’s 3 for 27 bolstered the team’s successful defence, levelling the series with a compelling 24-run triumph.
2. Dinesh Chandimal and Tillakaratne Dilshan 110 vs. Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2012
Dinesh Chandimal and Tillakaratne Dilshan ignited the contest with a remarkable opening partnership of 110 runs against Pakistan. Securing the second spot among the partnerships in the T20I Asia Cup for the first wicket. Their dynamic display at the start provided Sri Lanka with a robust foundation, carrying them until Chandimal’s departure in the 15th over.
After a brief collapse, Sri Lanka posted 150/4 in 20 overs. They went from 110/0 to 125/4 in just three overs, which changed the momentum and led to their eventual loss by six wickets. However, the impact of their partnership remains indelible. Notably, this partnership stands as the highest against Pakistan in T20Is for Sri Lanka and ranks as the second-highest opening partnership for the nation.
1. Sanath Jayasuriya and Tillakaratne Dilshan 124 vs. West Indies in the T20 World Cup 2009
During the 2009 World T20, the explosive duo of Sanath Jayasuriya and Tillakaratne Dilshan unleashed havoc upon the West Indies bowling attack by hammering an opening partnership of 124 runs at Nottingham. This remarkable performance marked the highest opening partnership for Sri Lanka in T20Is. While Jayasuriya kicked off the attack in the second over, belting boundaries with amazing flair, Dilshan took a bit longer to settle in. However, by the sixth over, he had found his groove, celebrating their fifty-run milestone with a resounding four.
The century mark was reached with equal ferocity inside the 10th over, this time with Jayasuriya smashing a four to bring up the landmark. The Windies managed a momentary reprieve in the 13th over, as Lendl Simmons dismissed Jayasuriya after he contributed 81 runs off just 47 balls. This dynamic pair’s partnership set a scintillating tone, propelling Sri Lanka forward in their pursuit of T20 glory.